Sound muffler for telephones



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' H. MAINE.

SOUND MUFFLER FOR TELBPHONES.

No. 292,022. Patented Jan. 15, 1884.

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HIRAM MAINE, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SOUND-MUFFLER FOR TELEPHONES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 292,022, dated January 15, 1884,

Application filed May 31, 1882. (1\'o model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HIRAM MAINE, of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Sounddlluffler for Telephones, of which the following is a description that will enable others to understand and use the same, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, forming a part of this specification.

The object of this invention is to provide a sound-mutfier for telephones, whereby all ex ternal sounds and noises are excluded from the ears when using the telephone, thereby enabling the person receiving the message to more readily understand the same, and obviating the necessity of having the message repeated, thus saving much valuable time and avoiding mistakes.

The nature of this invention consists, first, in providing the receiver with an elastic and yielding extension which is adapted to conform to the contour of the side of the face and head for the purpose of excluding all outside sounds from the ear; and, second, ota cap or muiiler composed of a soft yielding material adapted to coverthe opposite car from the one receiving the message, all as will be hereinafter more fully set forth in detail.

Figure 1 illustrates the application and use of my improvement; Fig. 2, a longitudinal section of the receiver and elastic extension; and Fig. 3 is a clamping device used in securing the muffler attachment to the receiver.

Referring to the drawings, Arepresents the telephone-box, B the receiver, G the elastic extension attached thereto, and D the cap for covering the ear opposite from the receiver. The tubular and elastic extension 0, attached to the ordinary receiver, is composed, preferably, of rubber; but any other soft, yielding material may be used that would be suitable The end of this extension bearing against the head may be of an irregular contour, if practice so requires, the object being to have the extension of such a size and shape as to completely encircle and thus exclude from the car all outside sounds. The interior area of this extension may be provided with adjustable diaphragms, so that the passagemay be enlarged or diminished for the purpose of properly modifying the sound coming through the telephone. The extension or muffier G is secured to the receiver by means of the clamping-band a,which is adapted to engage with and encircle the same, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Thejoining ends of this open band are provided with the lugs aciand are secured relative to each other by means of the thumb-screw b engaging with the threaded interior of the lugs to". By this arrangement the extension 0 can be readily connected to or disconnected from the receiver, as may be required. The cap D is also composed of elastic material, and is conveniently placed with reference to the telephonebox, so that the person using the telephone can rest the side of the head against the same, as shownin Fig. 1 of the drawings. This cap may be adjustably arranged by means of a bracket or similar de' vice; or,it' more convenient in practice,the cap may be suspended by a cord and held in the hand of the operator. By this arrangement both ears are protected from external sounds, and the message coming over the telephonewires will be very distinct, and all confusion avoided.

The present arrangements are such that ordinary conversation'in the room and the noise from the street greatly interferes with a proper and distinct understanding of the message.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is I 1. A transmitting and receiving telephone, combined with the elastic mutfling-cap D, permanently mounted in position to cover one ear ofthe operator while standing in proper speaking position bet'ore said transmitter, for the purpose set forth.

2. The elastic extension 0, provided with internal movable mufliing-diaphragms, which may beadjusted to muffle the sounds more or less, as set forth.

- HIRAM MAINE.

Witnesses:

L. M. FREEMAN, L. B. COUPLAND. 

